New SEND School

Zenith Trust has been appointed to run a new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school in Rayleigh.

Following a rigorous selection process, the Department for Education formally approved Essex County Council’s recommendation of our Trust as the sponsor for the new, two-site school. The council has also selected Kier Construction to design and build the school.

As part of the plans, 150 places will be created at a site on the Wolsey Park development, off Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh. This will be the first SEND school in the Rochford district. Another 40 places will also be created at the former Chetwood Primary School site in South Woodham Ferrers, taking the school’s total capacity to 190 pupils.

The school is due to open between September 2026 and January 2027.

As plans evolve, in conjunction with Essex LA, we will add a list of FAQs to provide further information to all stakeholders.

Update June 2026: 

Essex County Council have announced plans to increase the number of places at our Chetwood site to 102, with this provision being for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 students. The site at Wolsey Park will become a primary provision. As a result, the overall school capacity would increase from 190 to 252.

Update July 2026:

We’re pleased to share that the planning application for the new school has now been submitted to Essex County Council. This marks an important step forward in the development process.

In addition, a Headteacher Designate has been appointed. They will begin working closely with the Trust and local community to help shape the vision and direction of the new school.